Chelsea starlet willing to wait for big chance

Kurt Zouma says that he’s ready to be patient as he waits for his first competitive Chelsea outing.

The Blues signed the French defender in January, but he only made his switch to Stamford Bridge proper over the summer after being immediately loaned back to Saint Etienne as part of the original deal.

He featured during pre-season for the London club, but since the Premier League kicked off the 19-year-old has been behind John Terry and Gary Cahill in the pecking order.

Highly-rated in his homeland and the subject of interest from a host of top clubs before joining Chelsea, Zouma is expected to be given chances over the campaign, and the youngster says that he’s prepared to bide his time until called upon, citing compatriots Raphael Varane and Eliaquim Mangala as role models for him:

“When I was at Saint-Etienne and I didn’t play, I immediately got upset. But I learnt,” he is quoted by Goal.

“Now there are senior players, stars in my position, and they are doing a great job. I take my time. I am learning besides those defenders. I know my time will come.

“Jose Mourinho told me: ‘Raphael Varane, I made him start against Manchester City. You have to be ready to play at any moment’.

“I am using Varane and [Eliaquim] Mangala as role models. Nowadays they are in the French team and I hope to join them.”